Which Looks Much more Competitive: Toyota Prius Prime, or Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid?

So here was the Toyota Prius, minding its own business as the world’s best-selling gas-electric car, and wouldn’t you understand somebody had to come up along with a direct competitor.

That competitor would certainly be the Hyundai Ioniq which once launched in the U.S. later this year will certainly not only vie versus the plain hybrid Prius, yet its plug-in hybrid version will certainly likewise go versus Toyota’s more-recently revealed “Prime” plug-in hybrid.

The Ioniq is likewise be the world’s very first dedicated electrified auto that will certainly be available in a third powertrain – battery electric – yet speaking of the plug-in hybrid from Korea versus the one we every one of understand from Japan, it’s competitiveness could be close.

Following is a rundown of a few pointers on exactly how these respective vehicles compare and contrast.

Design

The Prius Prime and the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid are the two aerodynamic, front-wheel-drive, hatchbacks.

Hyundai’s auto is a five-passenger model as was the former Prius plug-in and current Prius. Toyota in its wisdom decided to make the Prime a four seater to save weight, and since it says its target demographic will certainly be great along with that.

Coefficient of drag is to be the exact same 0.24, interior space while varying a bit here and there will certainly be close for both.

Toyota’s Prius follows the brand-new design language of the base Prius which has actually been so polarizing for people, and the Ioniq looks Much more conventional, along with some saying it’s much easier on the eyes.

Powertrain

Both are plug-in hybrids along with full hybrid system augmented by ultra-efficient Atkinson cycle four-cylinders. Hyundai’s GDi unit is a 1.6 liter, Toyota’s is a 1.8, and the two threaten similar mpg.

Prime.

Both vehicles’ engines claim thermal efficiency of 40 percent – an accomplishment Toyota said three years ago it was reaching for, and which Hyundai up and did too on its very first time versus the incumbent. Where they differ is Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive follows the electric continuously variable transmission formula, and Hyunda eschews that in favor of a six-speed dual clutch automatic.

Neither has actually explained EPA numbers yet, yet Toyota says the Prius Prime could grab about the exact same as the non-plug-in Prius, perhaps about 52 mpg, and the Hyundai could grab Much more – as considerably as 56, most likely no much less compared to 51, and ultimately to be determined.

Electric Range

Continuing the powertrain discussion is the traction battery. Toyota doubled exactly what joined the 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid along with now an 8.8 kilowatt-hour assembly, and Hyundai offers 8.9 kWh.

Toyota is projecting 22 miles range at up to 84 mph prior to last EPA certifications. Hyundai is projecting 25-29, devoid of thus far specifying more.

Assuming this concerns pass, it appears Hyundai holds an edge in EV range which is the single-crucial necessity for buying a plug-in version of a hybrid car.

Performance

Prior to road testing, the efficient 0-60 mph time for either auto along with full gas-plus-electric energy could be in the 10 second range, offer or take a second.

Toyota said its brand-new Global Architecture and rear independent suspension makes for a crisper handling automobile in the twisties compared to Prius cars of yore. And, sure enough, Hyundai says its brand-new dedicated platform and independent rear suspension likewise makes for an engaging experience in the corners.

Reputation

If you’ve paid focus so far, you see Hyundai seeks to equal or one-up the Prius Prime in every one of meaningful stats, yet it is the newcomer and the Prius Prime is based on a automobile – the Prius hybrid – that’s been evolved because 1997.

The plug-in hybrid version of the Prius itself was only introduced in its very first generation in 2012, yet now the fully redesigned and thus evolved Prius plug-in is Much more of a known quantity, along with durable reliability and resale scores.

Hyundai has actually been making hybrids for this market several years also.

Its well-regarded Sonata Hybrid began U.S. sales in 2011, and the carmaker has actually proven itself despite the fact that it did run afoul along with its mpg estimated in 2012 and had to pay hefty fines for overstating mpg which consumers now remember.

If consumers lost out there, Hyundai was stung itself to the tune of $755 million, you can easily make sure it does not wish to make that mistake again, and there is no indicator it has actually overpromised on its latest hybrids in question.

WHat’s more, Hyundai is seeking to introduce 26 electrified vehicles by 2020, its wishes to be a global top-2 green auto maker by then, and it os playing for keeps.

Price

Of path of terrific concern to any type of auto shopper is price, and this is to be determined.

Without specifying dollars requested, Toyota has actually positioned the Prime as atop the range of its Prius line which goes in to the lesser 30s, and Hyundai has actually said even much less concerning exactly what to expect price-wise.

Hyundai’s approach has actually been to undercut or be priced closely to perceived competitors and it would certainly not be surprising to see it sticker for less, yet exactly how considerably much less is an open question.

Tax Credit

Since the tax credit is pegged to battery size, the two might grab close to the exact same amount. Neither manufacturer has actually issued statements, yet by IRS rules the credit is $2,500 plus another $417 for each kilowatt hour of battery capacity in excess of 5 kilowatt hours.

This need to equate to $4,502 for the Toyota, and concerning $42 Much more compared to that for the Hyundai.

State rewards could be available for these plug-in cars.

Bottom Line

Road examinations and better details will certainly be called for to fully assess the two, yet the short answer is the Prius Prime is the yardstick Hyundai is measuring itself versus and theoretically it appears pretty close.

As an aside, Hyundai is not the only company wanting to knock the Prius from its pedestal, and it’s rumored Ford likewise is preparing an anti-Prius that could be called Model E, considerably to Tesla’s chagrin.

As plug-in hybrids, the two the Toyota and Hyundai are not setting brand-new benchmarks in the all-necessary all-electric range department. The reigning champ has actually been the Chevy Volt which every one of the means spine in in 2011 had a superior 35 miles, and in 2017 has actually 53 miles EPA-rated range.

Both the Korean and Japanese plug-in hybrid promise much better mpg in charge-sustaining mode compared to the Volt’s 42, however, and in every one of they present a balance of attributes along with relatively competitive e-range, mpg, utility, spaciousness, and driving enjoyment.